This post was written for Issue 108 of Northern Insight Magazine
The welcoming in of a new year is a great time for businesses to reflect on the year that has passed and examine the opportunities and goals they would like to set for the year ahead. As the business landscape changes, sustainability is becoming an increasingly critical component to consider when establishing your business strategy. Stakeholders, including customers, employees, and investors, are increasingly prioritising environmentally conscious practices.
An important aspect of integrating sustainability into your business strategy is establishing how to align this with your business’ overall mission and goals, as well as making this work for your business instead of against it. Misaligned efforts to integrate sustainability which aren’t appropriate to your organisation will lead to inefficiencies, reduced impact and frustration.
This is why it is important to establish an environmental management system which works for you, determining what your organisation’s environmental impacts are, and assessing where changes can be made to reduce those impacts. Often, these changes can not only reduce your environmental impact, but benefit your bottom line at the same time.
Crucial aspects of establishing an effective environmental management system and sustainability strategy for your business are developing relevant environmental policies; measuring resource use and developing sound data sets; developing meaningful action plans which are relevant to your business; and communicating all of these areas effectively within and outside your organisation.
Accreditation schemes like Investors in the Environment can be pivotal when looking to achieve meaningful sustainability goals which are catered to your organisation. Genee delivers Investors in the Environment across the North of England, providing a structured framework for action, helping organisations establish an environmental management system (EMS) and prioritize impactful initiatives, such as waste reduction and energy efficiency.
Senior Planning Officer and Climate Change Team Leader at Gateshead Council, Lucy Greenfield, said: “working with Genee and the Investors in the Environment programme has been very beneficial to Gateshead Council… The process for iiE is an effective way to ensure the Council is making necessary improvements towards its sustainability targets, providing prompts and recommendations, whilst also celebrating successes along the way.”
When sustainability efforts reinforce business objectives, they create a virtuous cycle: operational efficiencies improve, brand reputation strengthens, and stakeholder trust grows. Organisations accredited by Investors in the Environment (iiE) benefit from structured support to ensure that their environmental goals are not only practical but also aligned with broader business strategies. This alignment helps sustainability initiatives be viewed as value-driving rather than a financial burden.
Jacqui Coulson, Finance Director for Durham County Carers noted that through the iiE programme, “some of the initiatives have not only lessened our environmental footprint, but also contributed significant cost savings”.
By aligning sustainability goals with business objectives, organisations can create actionable, measurable, and meaningful strategies to improve their environmental impact and future-proof the organisations. Sustainability is not a one-time initiative but a continuous journey. As businesses set their goals for the year ahead, they must remain flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances. Regularly revisiting and refining goals ensures they stay relevant and impactful.
To discuss how Genee can help your organisation prepare for 2025 and beyond, contact us at jo@genee.org.uk.
Comments